A reminder to give cyclists a safe 1.5metres distance when overtaking them on roads where the limit is above 60kph. A driver was issued an infringement notice in Burnie today for failing to maintain the safe distance, and will now have to pay a penalty of $159. The incident on Three Mile Line, where the speed limit is 100kph, was captured on the cyclist’s on-board camera. The new laws came into effect last month.

It's interesting, I've been away for most of this year and returned home after the minimum passing laws came into effect. I regularly ride on the Arthur Hwy in a 100km/hr zone and have noted a significant increase in space the vast majority of drivers are allowing. I can only assume there was an education campaign at the time of enacting the laws in addition to the 'distance makes the difference' ads which were on late last year.

Chapeau to the rider and police with regards to this incident as well.

I think actually hitting two cyclists like that is much worse than a close pass and requires a much harsher punishment. I’m gobsmacked that the offender (an overseas tourist) was simply issued with a paltry $160 fine and then allowed to continue driving.

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